Anti-racists have been urged to “mobilise” ahead of several planned far-right protests this weekend.
Far-right demonstrations are due to take place at several locations across the north on Friday, including Belfast and Derry.
Hundreds of people attended similar events across the north last weekend, resulting in an outbreak of race-hate violence in parts of Belfast.
A rampaging mob targeted businesses run by members of the ethnic minority community in the south of the city as violence erupted on the streets.
Police said on Tuesday there was a “paramilitary element” to violence that broke out in the loyalist Sandy Row area of Belfast on Monday
During the disorder a man in his 50′s had his head stamped on the Donegall Road and Oban Street area in an attack branded by police as a hate crime.
While it is not known who is behind a series of anti-immigration protests being planned for Friday, some events have been highlighted on a Facebook page calling itself Official Protestant Coalition.
The Protestant Coalition was closely linked to the failed loyalist flag protests, which began in 2012.
A large protest is planned for Belfast City Centre at rush hour on Friday.
Social media posts promoting the event, which include both the tricolour and Union flag, urge people to attend the city centre venue between 5pm-7pm, at the height of rush-hour.
A similar “protect our children” event will also take place in Derry at the same time.
Again, a social media message including a tricolour and Union flag calls on all “right minded people to from all race (sic), creed and colour” to attend Dales Corner, which is in the Limavady Road area between 5pm-7pm.
During last Saturday’s event in Belfast protesters holding tricolours and Union flags were pictured standing side-by-side.
Some were also seen holding a ‘Coolock Says No’ banner at the event, which was attended mainly by loyalists.
The Coolock district of Dublin has also been the scene of anti-immigrant protests and outbreaks of violence in recent weeks.
It has been reported that the Coolock Says No campaign group has now apologised for its banner being on display at the Belfast event.
In response to far-right protests, West Belfast People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has called on anti-racism campaigners, trade unionists, and “progressive political forces to mobilise to show that we will not tolerate such hate”.
“To be crystal clear, responsibility for any and all disorder lies at the feet of the far-right, who have loyalist paramilitaries in their ranks,” he said.
“Those who would discourage anti-racism mobilisations want to create further space for the violence we have seen in recent days.”
Campaign group United Against Racism Belfast has organised a ‘Belfast Welcomes Diversity Demo’, which will take place on Saturday.
A spokesman said: “Violent racists must not be allowed to control our streets or control the narrative around the problems facing our communities.
“When progressives campaign for social change, for investment in public services, or for the rights we all deserve, the far-right are never to be seen.”
Those taking part in the demonstration will assemble at Writers’ Square on Saturday, 12pm.
